Canadian Government Awards Contract to DRS Technologies Canada to Enhance Networking Capability of Armoured Fighting Vehicles

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DRS Technologies, Inc., a Finmeccanica Company, announced today that a $38.7 million Cdn. competitive contract has been awarded to DRS Technologies Canada Ltd. (DRS Canada) in support of the Canadian Land Command Support System Life Extension Project.

Under this contract, DRS Canada will manufacture and deliver 13,624 Communication Selector Boxes and 4,937 Power Distribution Units – Small Form Factor along with spare components, with two one-year options for the manufacture of additional units.

The Communications Selector Box provides the primary user interface for all Land Command Support System voice and data services, improving the soldier's ability to select and change radio frequency bands in real time ensuring seamless communications. The Power Distribution Unit - Small Form Factor is a physically smaller, centralized power source to feed electrical current simultaneously to all armoured vehicle onboard systems, from radios to workstation displays.

The contract will generate some 36 high-value manufacturing jobs in Ontario with 100% Canadian content through direct program work and indirect offsets. The work will be performed at the DRS Canada facility in Carleton Place, Ontario, a recognized state-of-the-art aerospace, defence and space manufacturing facility, with three Class 100,000 Clean Rooms (including Surface Mount Technology production), a Class 10,000 Optics Laboratory and more than 88,000 sq. ft. of production, assembly and test floor space.

"We are extremely proud to be selected by Canada to produce and deliver the Communications Selector Boxes and Power Distribution Units for the Canadian Army", says Steve Zuber, vice president and general manager, DRS Technologies Canada Ltd. "These Line Replaceable Units further enhance the networking and communications capability for Canadian soldiers and vehicle crews in the mobile land warfare environment."

Production deliveries will take place over a three year period, beginning in Spring 2013.DRS Canada is partnered with Varitron Technologies Inc. (VTI) of St Hubert, Quebec, for the provision of high-volume manufacturing services.

DRS Technologies is a leading supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and prime contractors worldwide. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Finmeccanica S.p.A. (FNC.MI) which employs approximately 69,000 people worldwide. For more information about DRS Technologies, please visit the company's website at www.drs.com.

For additional information please contact:

Joseph MilitanoSenior Vice President Public Affairs and Communications +1.703.236.4659 jmilitano@drs.com